Final answer:
A counselor needs to obtain written consent from the biological parents, or seek a court order, when disclosing a child's confidential information to someone other than the biological parents. This process is regulated by legal and ethical standards, and children cannot provide consent for themselves.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a counselor wants a person other than a biological parent to have confidential information about a child, there are specific protocols that must be followed to ensure the protection of the child's privacy and confidential information. It is essential to adhere to legal requirements and ethical considerations. For example, obtaining written consent from the biological parents would be necessary unless the individual seeking the information has a legal right to it, such as in the case of a custody arrangement. If a court has recognized someone as a temporary guardian or foster parent, they might have a right to the information under agency guidelines. However, if none of these conditions have been met, the counselor would need to seek a court order to disclose the information.
It's important to note that children are generally not deemed competent to provide consent for themselves. Furthermore, in the case of sensitive issues, such as reproductive health, special legal considerations exist, like minors needing the consent of a parent or a judge before certain medical procedures. Confidentiality rules may vary by agency or state, but generally, obtaining consent or a court order is the correct action when sharing a minor's confidential information.